- The event will be held in Florida
- The event has suffered setbacks in its build-up
- Main Event will see Tony Ferguson take on Justin Gaethje
- Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
UFC 249, that will see Tony Ferguson square off against Justin Gaethje, will take place on May 9.
The event had been scheduled for April 18 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As reported, the battle for the Interim Lightweight Championship is now set to take place next month at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville Florida.
UFC 249 was initially set to feature Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson in a heavily anticipated clash.
The plans would be thwarted when Khabib informed that he will not be able to feature in the fight as the Dagestani fighter found himself stranded in Russia as the nation placed a travel ban on all flights as part of the country’s measures in battling Covid-19.
UFC hurriedly sought Justin Gaethje to fight Tony Ferguson in Brooklyn New York only for Governor Andrew Cuomo to issue an order restricting mass gatherings.
A determined Dana White surged on with plans to have the event on ‘Fight Island’, a private island based at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino on tribal land in California’s Central Valley.
White had vowed to have the sporting event despite repeated calls to have it cancelled, as the rest of the sporting events are on halt, due to Covid-19.
The plan would then be cancelled when ESPN and Disney stopped the UFC Chief’s plan to keep the event on April 18.
In addition to Ferguson versus Gaethje, Henry Cejudo will take on Dominick Cruz in the World Bantamweight Championship.
Elsewhere, Francis Ngannou will face Jairzinho Rozenstrui in a heavyweight bout.
Anthony Pettis will do battle with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in a welterweight bout. Pettis prevailed when they previously faced each other in 2013.